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We all know the symptoms of a blocked drain, from an unpleasant odour through to pools of foul water outside and backflow from toilets and sinks, it’s usually pretty clear when a drain has become silted up with some sort of obstruction. What may be less clear is whose responsibility it is to arrange (and pay) for a plumber to attend and resolve the issue. Read on to discover when it’s your responsibility to solve the issue, and when someone else needs to deal with the problem.
We can tell you if you’re responsible for clearing your sewer drain
Whether you have to pay for drain clearing works largely depends on where the blockage is located. If the blockage is located in pipework that you’re responsible for, you will need to pay for it to be resolved. Similarly, blockages that occur in pipework belonging to the sewage or water company will need to be cleared by them. The crossover between the two areas of responsibility is known as “the Point”. Blockages downstream of “the Point” are the responsibility of the water company. Upstream from “the Point”, the blockage is your responsibility.
Confused by who’s responsibility clearing a drain obstruction might be? Call Pinnacle Plumbing and let us identify the location of the obstruction, as well as let you know if it’s your responsibility to remove it.
You may have to pay for Storm Drain blockage removal
Whilst sewers collect wastewater from sinks, toilets, washing machines and similar, storm drains collect run-off. When it rains, rain flows through a variety of downpipes, gutters and channels. These, in turn, drain into a council barrel drain or kerbside drain, enabling the rainwater to be channelled in a way that reduces the risk of flooding.
If a blockage occurs in the pipework before it reaches the council drain, it is usually the responsibility of the homeowner to sort the issue out. This applies not only to pipework in the immediate vicinity of the house (for example a blocked gutter or loose downpipe) but also to any pipework that connects the stormwater collected on the property with the council drain. This may mean that an obstruction beyond the boundary of your property is still your responsibility!
Working on storm drains and the associated pipework is a challenging task, particularly if the pipework is under a public walkway or similar. Workers are required to obtain an appropriate permit, as well as possibly consult with the highways department over possible disruptions to traffic. All repairs must be carried out in line with relevant health & safety legislation, particularly if the public is going to be in close proximity to the site.
Pinnacle Plumbing is an experienced plumbing company that can advise on drain blockages occurring in storm drains and/or sewers. Let us locate the blockage for you, then give you the information you need to decide on the best course of action. Call now to book a Pinnacle plumber!
